20 September 2012

‘First-Ever’ Pictures Of A Young Banksy Painting A Mural In Mexico

Did you know street artist Banksy was an amateur footballer before he became UK’s most infamous ‘guerrilla’ artist?

According to the Daily Mail, these are the ‘first-ever confirmed pictures’ of Banksy—taken when he was an amateur footballer for Bristol-based football club, Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls.

It was reported that in 2001, he joined the club on a tour of Mexico where they played against a team of Mexican freedom fighters.

In between games and during breaks, Banksy would be busy painting a mural depicting the freedom fighters struggle for independence.

“He went on tour with us to Mexico in 2001 and painted a number of murals in the community,” said Will Simpson, a club footballer who knew Banksy before he became famous, “He did one tour and shortly after, he might have moved to London. We see him every so often when he comes back to Bristol.”

The photos were first featured in the book titled ‘Freedom Through Football: The Story of the Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls’—however, Banksy’s face has been pixelated to protect his identity.